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L’ORÉAL COLOUR TROPHY OPEN FOR 2024

L’ORÉAL COLOUR TROPHY OPEN FOR 2024

Mar 1, 2024 | INDUSTRY NEWS

CATEGORIES > INFORM

L’ORÉAL COLOUR TROPHY OPEN FOR 2024

From Future Talent to Moving Image, the iconic competition is now open for entries in both the UK and Ireland.

2023 Irish winners

2023 UK winners

The legendary L’Oréal Colour Trophy has opened entries for its 2024 competition, welcoming all hair pros in the UK and Ireland to take part. 

With six categories in the UK and four in Ireland, the competition shares a platform with professional colourists to showcase their artistry, shining a spotlight on creative colour with a firm eye on future trends and commercial looks. 

Now in its 68th year, the L’Oréal Colour Trophy’s mission is to uncover talent from all corners of the UK and Ireland. Entrants across all categories are invited to create a colour look on any model, of any gender or any gender identity of any hair type. The deadline for entries is 19 April. 

Alongside the original Colour Trophy category in both the UK and Ireland, there is the STAR Award, and also the Future Talent Award, for younger colourists to make their mark.  

Unveiled last year, the Moving Image Award returns to both the UK and Ireland to celebrate colourists excelling on social media. Entrants are asked to create a reel on Instagram or TikTok between 30-60 seconds of a finished hair look that illustrates real skill and delivers impact. 

In addition, UK entrants can also compete in the Afro Award, specialising in a hair type texture between 3C and 4C, in addition to the Colour Specialist Award, aimed at those stylists who have completed the Colour Specialist education programme with L’Oréal Professionnel Paris. 

In 2023, Sheffield’s Scullion and Scot won the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final in the UK, while Zeba Hairdressing scooped the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Ireland title. 

For more details on all the categories, visit lorealcolourtrophy.com or lorealcolourtrophy.ie. 

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HairCon 2025? We’re Mad For It!

HairCon 2025? We’re Mad For It!

From breathtaking shows to business advice, brand experiences and new innovations, the return of the industry’s most disruptive event thrilled thousands

NEW VISIONARIES TEAM ANNOUNCED BY REVLON PROFESSIONAL

NEW VISIONARIES TEAM ANNOUNCED BY REVLON PROFESSIONAL

Feb 28, 2024 | INDUSTRY NEWS

CATEGORIES > INFORM

REVLON PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCE ITS VISIONARIES TEAM 2024

The names were revealed following an intense final. 

Finalists for the programme gathered at the Westrow Academy to compete for a place on this year’s team. A year-long mentorship programme, directed by Revlon’s global ambassador, Mark Leeson, gives aspiring stylists the chance to supercharge their skill set. Opportunities include photo shoots, shows and demonstrations, as well as the chance to attend colour and cutting courses and social media workshops.

Judges Richard Darby from Mark Leeson, Emma Simmons from Salon 54, Steven Smart from Smart:EST 73 and Marney Lian from Gritt watched on as 18 finalists demonstrated their cutting and colouring skills in two heats. The day’s challenge was to recreate the photographic looks the finalists had submitted as part of their entry on the competition floor.

The Visionaries Team for 2024 is…

  • Sophie Cookson: Gray’s Salon, Leeds
  • Taylor Borthwick: Myka, Bathgate
  • Stephanie Dwyer: Teresa Weller Hair Art, Dorking
  • Hollie Varney: Salon Couture, Chatham

Commenting on the quality of the finalists, Mark Leeson said: “This was an awe-inspiring group of individuals. Calm under pressure but impressively creative, they came up with some seriously promising work. Being part of the Visionaries is an unmissable chance to push outside your comfort zone and experience things you’d never have believed were possible. I’m fired up for the year ahead. Our previous finalists have all gone on to flourish so let’s see what 2024 has in store for our next talented quartet.”

For their first assignment, the four Visionaries will be treated to a two-day colour and cutting course at the Revlon Academy in Leeds. “The Visionaries programme offers opportunities like no other. We have an incredible year lined up, all geared around giving this skilled team the tools, knowledge amd confidence to elevate their careers,” says Matt Horder, general manager of Revlon Professional UK & Ireland. “We’re excited to see this year’s lucky four absolutely shine!”

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DYSON UNVEILS ITS NEW PRO-EXCLUSIVE DRYER

DYSON UNVEILS ITS NEW PRO-EXCLUSIVE DRYER

Feb 27, 2024 | INDUSTRY NEWS

CATEGORIES > INFORM

DYSON UNVEILS ITS NEW PRO-EXCLUSIVE DRYER

The Supersonic r Professional hairdryer is smaller and lighter with no heat damage. 

Dyson has unveiled an innovative hair dryer exclusively for stylists at New York Fashion Week that’s smaller and lighter, with new technology to avoid heat damage to hair.
The Dyson Supersonic r Professional hair dryer comes with a variety of attachments that include intelligent Radio Frequency Identification sensors. These communicate with the dryer, automatically adjusting the motor and heater to deliver the ideal airflow and temperature for each one. If a stylist alters any of the settings on an individual attachment from one client to the next, the sensors will also remember the last settings used. The new dryer is 30 per cent smaller and 20 per cent lighter, and more manoeuvrable to deliver fast drying, alongside smoother, frizz free and shinier results on hair.
It will be used across the four main Fashion Week cities during the A/W 2024 season, starting with Christian Siriano and Prabal Gurung in New York. The reveal follows ongoing surveys and interviews with nearly 700 stylists since 2017. Through these, Dyson identified challenges hair pros were facing, and was keen to provide a tool that responds to “real world demands” while still delivering on styling experience and results. Its research found that a stylist will typically see between 4-16 clients each day, spending on average 30 – 60 minutes styling per client, adapting their angle up to 30 times during one styling session. It pointed to the prevalence of strain related injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome among stylists as a result.

At a glance: Dyson Supersonic r professional hair dryer

It has a new ergonomic design
The Dyson Supersonic r has been designed ergonomically in an ‘r’ curve and, at 325g, weighs less than a can of hairspray. The shape allows stylists to reach where it’s normally difficult, for better control when styling hair, and for better comfort while doing so.

There’s more even heat thanks to new heaters
The new curved heater ensures the dryer heats the airflow more evenly, with no hotspots. For stylists, this means you can rely on more even temperatures (including when using the attachments), a higher temperature for faster drying and styling, with no heat damage. The dryer checks the temperature constantly using Dyson’s intelligent heat control – seen in its other hair tools, too – measuring air temperature more than 20 times a second.

The attachments have sensors… and they’ll remember how you used them
There’s a range of attachments that have integrated Radio Frequency Identification sensors, which communicate with the dryer, automatically adjusting the motor and the heater to deliver what Dyson engineers have set as the ‘optimal’ airflow and temperature. For example, the diffuser is set to low flow and low temperature to reduce frizz and enhance curls without disrupting the curl pattern. In contrast, the rough dry mode uses maximum power heat and flow to minimise drying time but while keeping the airflow controlled. However, stylists can adjust these settings depending on the hair type and style of each client, and the dryer will remember that setting the next time the attachment is added.

Its filter can go longer between cleans
The 3D mesh filter at the bottom of the dryer, designed to capture salon pollutants such as hair and styling sprays, now lasts up to two times longer in-between cleans.

Stylists can join a waitlist here for the new pro-exclusive dryer. 

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NEW GUIDELINES REVEALED FOR ALLERGY TESTING

NEW GUIDELINES REVEALED FOR ALLERGY TESTING

Feb 27, 2024 | INDUSTRY NEWS

CATEGORIES > INFORM

NEW GUIDELINES REVEALED FOR ALLERGY TESTING

Collaboration of industry bodies unveils new testing protocols for professional colour in the UK.

A new allergy testing protocol for professional hair colour has been unveiled through a collaboration of industry bodies. 

Associations including the National Hair and Beauty Federation and Hair & Barber Council have blended the changes announced by Cosmetics Europe last year with existing industry best practices. The new guidelines offer a clear benchmark for hair professionals, insurers and hair colour brands to meet to promote the safe use of professional hair colour services in the UK. 

Posting professional colour to a client’s home for them to test at home is not recommended under the new protocol, as this goes against industry best practice and may invalidate insurance cover.

The new protocol recognises three systems for professional allergy alert testing:

1. The Allergy Alert Test (AAT)
Instructions designed by manufacturers and printed on packaging and instructions for use.

2. Protocols designed for professional use only and conducted by a hair professional*
Hair colour brand protocols are applicable to their own products only, whereas some hair industry, trade organisations’ and insurers’ protocols can be used with any hair colour brand.

3. Universal allergy screening tests licenced as medicines for consumers to use at home to screen for the most common hair colour allergen (PPD)
These products are available to buy online or via approved stockists and may only need to be used once.  

“Having three options that have been thoroughly researched and examined by our industry leaders makes it simpler to understand and easier for us to communicate to the public,” says Gareth Penn, registrar at the Hair & Barber Council.

“Allergy alert tests are vital to protect clients and guard against potentially expensive legal action if something goes wrong. This is a huge step in the right direction,” added Caroline Larissey, chief executive at the National Hair & Beauty Federation. “These collaborative guidelines will help raise standards and also support clients make an informed choice.”

The industry bodies working together are Good Salon Guide, Salon Employers Association, the Barber Council, the Fellowship for British Hairdressing, the Freelance Hairdressers’ Association, the Hair Council, the Men’s Hairdressing Federation and the National Hair & Beauty Federation.

* Precise protocols differ and it is the responsibility of hair professionals to check cover with their own insurance provider.

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HEADMASTERS CELEBRATES COMPANY SUCCESS

HEADMASTERS CELEBRATES COMPANY SUCCESS

Feb 26, 2024 | INDUSTRY NEWS

CATEGORIES > INFORM

HEADMASTERS CELEBRATES 2023 SUCCESS

Voice of TV’s Love Island, Iain Stirling, revealed winners at HM Awards.

Salon group Headmasters revealed its big winners of 2023 at London Evolution in Battersea Park, with a carnival-themed event attended by more than 800 Headmasters team members. 

Staff from 54 salons, two academies and its head office gathered to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Headmasters throughout 2023, with award winners revealed by Iain Stirling, host comedian and the voice of TV’s Love Island. 

The event was kicked off with a hair show by the Headmasters Artistic Team, led by creative ambassadors Clare Hansford and Sian Couldridge.  It showcased four themes to illustrate how society’s definition of beauty has changed over time, from the Elizabethan era to modern day and beyond to how beauty may evolve in the future. 

The awards followed, celebrating both creativity and business successes as well as service milestones and those who made record takings to be named on the Headmasters A-List and Honours List. The climax was a live raffle, where every colour appointment in 2023 earned stylists a ticket and a chance to win £10,000 to spend at Selfridges.  

And the winners are… 

Creative Photographic Awards 

Colour Innovation Award, sponsored by L’Oréal Professionnel 

Winner: Kyrah Confait, Headmasters Walton 

Runner-up: Rowan Schultz & Maz Francis-Hyder, Headmasters Sutton 

 Makeover Transformation Video Award, sponsored by ghd 

Winner: Stephanie Merryweather, Headmasters Brighton 

Runner-up: Kat Jenner, Headmasters Bromley High Street 

Texture Image Award, sponsored by Kérastase 

Winner: Daniella Fowler, Headmasters Sutton 

Runner-up: Edd Moss, Headmasters Soho 

Barber Image Award, sponsored by Redken 

Winner: Lou Newton, Headmasters Kingston 

Runner-up: Tony Hristov, Headmasters Mayfair   

HM Ultimate Image Award, sponsored by Nioxin 

Winner: Jonny Sheppard, Headmasters Bromley Market Square 

Runner-up: Callum Jenkins, Headmasters Brighton 

Christine Sanders Future Star Award, sponsored by Paul Mitchell  

Winner:  Emily Murch, Headmasters Dorking 

Runner-up: Kateryna Semeniuk, Headmasters Brighton 

Business Awards 

Busiest Stylist: Flavio Iacurti, Headmasters Guildford  

Busiest Retailer: Davide Simmaco, Headmasters Paddington  

Busiest Colourist: Nikolay Karpin, Headmasters Twickenham  

Charity Salon of the Year: Headmasters Surbiton   

Digital salon of the Year: Headmasters Cobham  

Salon of the Year: Headmasters Fitzrovia  

Every Colour Counts Raffle winner: Semiramis Norouzi, East Sheen 

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RISING COSTS OF NEW LEGISLATION ARE IMPACTING ON IRISH SALONS

RISING COSTS OF NEW LEGISLATION ARE IMPACTING ON IRISH SALONS

Feb 23, 2024 | INDUSTRY NEWS

CATEGORIES > INFORM

RISING COSTS OF NEW LEGISLATION ARE IMPACTING ON IRISH SALONS

An IHF survey spotlights the “seismic effect” of new Government policies. 

Rising labour costs, the extension of debt warehousing scheme and the increased VAT rate of 13.5 per cent are among the “grave concerns” highlighted in a survey of Irish Hairdressing Federation members.

The research follows recently introduced government policy measures, which IHF president, Lisa Eccles, said has had a “seismic effect on many people’s businesses’ bottom lines”.

“Many members are gravely concerned as to the impact this 1 January legislation has had on cash flow for purchases and wages. Many members are fearful of their future and face having to let staff go or close up completely.”

The biggest burden highlighted in the survey is the newly introduced legislation, chiefly the increasing entitlement to paid sick leave for employees. In the past two years, five additional paid sick days have been added.

The VAT rate of 13.5 per cent – up from nine per cent in September 2023 – continues to cause upset, and the IHF has appealed to government to return it to its lower rate in order for businesses to continue trading. Increased energy costs and a variety of rising product costs that narrow profit margins were also causes for concern. The survey also highlighted members’ commitment to avoiding price increases for its clientele, who are also impacted by the cost of living. 

Examples cited by the IHF – which represents more than 500 salon owners nationwide – included one member with 10 staff in her salon, who was now facing an extra 50 paid sick leave days annually. She would need to find additional staff to cover those days on top of the additional sick leave costs.

Many members also stated how the stress of these policy changes had affected their mental health. “Government needs to urgently take into account the untold stress and trauma they are putting small business owners under,” said Lisa Eccles. “As independent salon owners these increased burdened measures are deeply affecting their mental health”.

Eccles requested an urgent meeting with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, Government Ministers Michael McGrath TD, Simon Coveney TD, and Neale Richmond TD to highlight the impact of this and future legislation is having.

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